“Topped off the air in the tires.”
Luca nodded.
“Everything all right?” Nox flicked a look over to the attendant.
“Yeah, fine. I’m just hungry. But they really don’t have anything here but junk food.” Luca nodded at the front of the store. “I’m going to go wait in the van.” He hurried out.
Nox came out of the store with the horseshoe in his hand and disappeared around the corner.
Luca stuffed the bottle of lubricant into a bundle of dirty clothes he had collected in a plastic bag. He’d meant it when he said he wanted to try again. The problem was, did Nox? And was Luca really ready to face the Anubis considering he hadn’t even been able to handle Nox, and he’d been gentle.
He didn’t know, but he wanted to. He wanted Nox no matter how dangerous he claimed he was. Luca’s cock threatened to harden. He shifted in his seat. Fabric rubbed the head, creating a kiss of ice at the base of his spine.
Damn it, if he wasn’t careful, he’d wind up coming in his pants like he had in the shower.
Luca’s face burned. He sat up and opened his drink to take his mind off what was between his legs. Or better yet, what was between Nox’s.
Luca leaned back.
Nox stood on the sidewalk in front of the van.
Did he know? He had to know. He could smell just about anything. And what if he did? Luca pulled down the visor to look busy. A business card from the used car place fell out. He picked it up off the floorboard.
Now Nox was at the counter inside the store. Sunlight bounced off the large paned window, hiding him for a moment. He reappeared in the shadows and handed the bathroom key back to the attendant, disappearing again behind the reflection until he walked out of the store.
He paused at the driver’s door and furrowed his brow.
He knew. There was no doubt in Luca’s mind.
Nox climbed into the driver’s seat. “Have anywhere particular you want to go?” Nothing showed in his expression.
“Huh?”
“You said you were hungry.”
“Oh, yeah. I guess anything’s fine. Maybe a hamburger and fries.”
Nox stared.
“We’d better go.” Luca fumbled with his seatbelt.
Nox cranked the van and pulled out of the parking lot.
*****
Nox stopped at a mom-and-pop general store for a pair of boots. He grabbed two and a couple of heavier coats. He doubted he’d need one, but Luca wore every warm shirt Nox had bought plus one of Nox’s sweatshirts.
When he returned to the van, Luca still wouldn’t make eye contact with him. Nox couldn’t really fault Luca for that. Nox had been silent the majority of the drive, and when he’d spoken, it had been to announce a pit stop or ask Luca what he wanted to eat.
But the biggest change in Luca’s behavior had happened at the convenience store. Nox assumed the attendant had said something, but when he asked the man, he’d said no. And his scent said he told the truth.
They crossed the state line into Nebraska, flanked on both sides of the van by big rigs and tailgated by a pickup truck that still had its headlights off. As soon as there was space, the truck engine revved, and the driver shot around the van, squeezing through the narrow gap between the front bumper and the rear of the rig.
The driver shot Nox the bird.
Nice to know the people here were friendly.
Another car took the place of the pickup. The high beams skipped off the rearview. Nox flipped it up to keep from being blinded.